Efforts by the Environmental Science Center in Burien's Seahurst Park may provide a needed boost to students' understanding of the fundamentals of math and science, according to interim executive director Jan Glick.

The Environmental Science Center is expanding its work at a time when the state is revising mathematics learning standards for students in grades K-12, and when most school districts, especially in south King County, are looking to improve their WASL test scores, Glick noted.

"National studies have shown that experiential environmental education boost kids' understanding of math and science," he said.

As the Environmental Science Center expands its work, it is seeking funding from King County, the state of Washington and private sources to build an indoor environmental learning facility at Seahurst Park.

Glick said the science center is also partnering with the Highline School District to raise funds to develop a curriculum that would expand its existing three-hour educational program to provide an increased amount of "experiential education for students in order to boost academic achievement."

All science center programs are aligned with the district and state math and science standards, he added.

Currently, more than 2,000 fourth through sixth graders in the Highline, Renton and Kent school districts improve their understanding of the marine and shoreline environment of Puget Sound every year through educational opportunities at the Environmental Science Center.

The eventual goal of the science center is to serve more children for more hours per child and help boost test scores in math and science.

Des Moines Elementary School teacher Jim Simpson said of the Environmental Science Center, "Its program was one of the most well-run, children-friendly, and information-packed programs that I have experienced in 15 years of teaching sixth grade."

The science center, which has operated at Seahurst Park since 1999, gives students a chance to experience the science of the natural environment through hands-on, outdoor field work with experienced educators and beach naturalists.

Operating on a shoestring budget, in 2007 the center's budget tripled and the organization is poised to expand its programming if it is successful in partnering with King County and the state, Glick said.